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There have been enough questions and marketing about the use of in-furrow insecticides, and specifically Capture LFR, in corn and soybeans to justify some comments (granted a little late for comments about corn).

Capture LFR contains bifenthrin which is the same active ingredient as found in Brigade, Fanfare, Sniper or Tundra. However, it contains 1.5 Lb of active ingredient per gallon of product (not 2 Lb/gallon as found in Brigade and the other bifenthrin products).

Keep in mind that bifenthrin has no systemic activity in the plant. Capture LFR is specifically formulated to mix with starter fertilizers (“LFR” stands for liquid fertilizer ready). This does not necessarily mean that other bifenthrin products will not mix with starter fertilizers.

Most of the questions have revolved around corn, and for those using a “pop-up” fertilizer, this is an easy option to overcome some weaknesses of insecticide seed treatments in corn.

Done right, this treatment can provide protection against cutworms.

Data from my counterparts at Mississippi State University (Angus Catchot) and North Carolina State University (Dominic Reisig) also show this treatment provides some protection against sugarcane beetles, and you might expect the same against some other corn pests such as billbugs and white grubs.

I would strongly consider using an in-furrow bifenthrin treatment in high risk scenarios such as where new ground is going into production or where sugarcane beetles have been a chronic problem.

What does “done right” mean?

Most entomologist agree you should band this application across the open seed furrow so that some product is being deposited on the shoulders of the seed trench. A 2-inch band is typically suggested. A strictly in-furrow application may not provide protection against cutworm or other surface feeding pests.

How much product would I use?

The standard use rate of Capture LFR is 3.4 – 4 Oz of product per acre (0.2 - 0.24 Oz/1000 row feet). This is also the same range that would be used in soybean. You can also use equivalent rates of other bifenthrin products such as Brigade 2E (0.15 — 0.18 Oz/1,000 row feet).